Life-raft.



1.1; McLAUG HLIN.

LIFE RAFT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26. 1916.

1 246, 1 29. Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

JOHN JAMES MGLAUGHLIN, 0F BOMBAY, INDIA.

LIFE-RAFT.

Specification of- Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

. Application filed May 2c, 1916. Serial No. 100,096.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Joan JAMES Mo- LAUGHLIN, a subject of therEmperor ofIn dia, residing in Bombay,.India, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in LifeRafts, of which the following is a specification. A

This invention relates to rafts for the sav ing of life at sea on the occasion of shipwreck or other mishap.

The invention consists inproviding a life raft which is reversible so that in whatever mannerit may be launched it'will right itself and float with oneof its floors available for occupants. It contains one or more air tanks set between two floors suitably framed, and fitted all around withpendent life lines. Smaller tanks are also provided between the floors to hold water and provisions. Around each fioor are fitted handrails which are folded down on the floor when not in use.

A raft according to the invention is represented by way of example in the annexed drawing in Figures I, II and III, of which the respective parts are indicated by progressive numbers that are common to the three figures. V

Fig. I is the raft in plan, floored with battens on suitable framing. 'Beneath this floor three air tanks 1 are indicated in dotted lines, and two smaller tanks. 2, 3, for provisions and water. The watertight lids 18 of these tanks are also shown and the mallets' 13 for closing or opening the lids. Paddles 14' are also shown for propelling the raft in case of need and rope painter 15 whereby it may be towed. Y

dipping into a small necked vessel to co 7 tain water or other liquid are also indicated.

The life lines are shown hanging over a rib'.

10. A steering oar 16 attached by gromet 17 is also shown.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for Fig. III is a side view showing the air tanks 1 longitudinally, the'life lines 8, the

grips 9 and on the upper side the handrail 4 erected. 11 is a slingffor hoisting or launching the raft. The handrail is shown beneath, folded, and'also in dotted lines extending with its braces 5. When on deck with its handrail folded this raft. offers no obstruction to immediate launching. When' in the water it isaccessible on all sides and access is facilitated by the life lines which can be seized by the hands while the projecting edge of the submerged floor and side battens afford good footing for persons to get onboard.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A reversible life raft comprising in combination, a plurality of straight hollow cylindrical tanks arranged in any direction,

floors composed of battens covering com pletely the upper and under surfaces of the tanks, water and provision tanks opening tens covering completely the upper and 1 I under surfaces of the tanks and also covering the sides, water and provision compart-- ments opening on either the upper or the under floor, a folding hand rail aflixed around the outer edge of the raft on both T floors and a double row of life lines around each side of the raft- V I In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' JOVI-IN JAMES, MQIJAUGHLIN.

Witnesses:

J. M. RUTREAGUR, HILDA V. LYNoH.

five cents eacli, by addressing the .commi slioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

